A Bird Garden Grows

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Shirley Hardy
Shirley Hardy's picture

Hey, Spiney, did you fall off the edge of the planet or something?

I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)

spiney
spiney's picture

Hey there... Nah I'm still around but I've been dstracted by all of the amazing bird and native plant forums on facebook so that chews up my online time these days. Yeh my garden is bombing along so I'll have to take some more pics when I get back from my holiday in the UK (I'm in Wales at the moment). Nearly everything survived the long hot Spring to Autumn period we had in Melbourne and just before I left for the UK it started to rain which was fantastic. The trees along my fence are now around 5m high (in only 3 years), the callistemons have been flowering for 5 months non-stop and I've planted some new grevilleas - Moonlight and Flamingo. There are some pobblebonks in the garden but they haven't yet spawned in the pond although we have been visited by a white-faced heron so they'd better keep their heads down!! I've had spinebills, New Hollands, thornbills and several visits from a pair of scaly-breasted lorikeets which was fantastic. The butcherbird is a regular now and in the winter the number of crested pigeon swells from 3 to about 12. The Eastern Rosellas call in now and again but the noisy miners tend to chase them away. There is a resident sparrowhawk that regularly catches the collard doves and sits there plucking the feathers off before carrying his dinner away. Like you, I've noticed owl pellets so I'm sure there's an owl visiting in the evenings but I haven't caught sight of him yet. I've also had regular visits from galahs, little corellas, sulphur crested cockatoos and red-rumped parrots so it's all happening as the garden is maturing. I'm looking forward to this spring as I think the number of small birds will also start to increase as my shrubby layer thickens up even more. The local council have recently planted 100's of new trees in the park in front of and behind my property so that's going to be amazing in a few years time and should increase the number of birds visiting my garden. I've also been active down the creek and planted another 50 indigenous trees and shrubs this autumn. Might put even more in when I get home. Anyway, it's good to touch base again!! Will post some pics when I'm back from the UK. Good luck in your garden and enjoy the visitors you get through the winter months!!

jason

Nice work spiney, well done on all fronts.

Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks

Woko
Woko's picture

A true blue inspiration, spiney. Looks like your council is following your lead. It's amazing what one individual can achieve! 

Shirley Hardy
Shirley Hardy's picture

I'm glad to hear you haven't fallen off the planet, Spiney. Enjoy your holiday in Wales and have a safe trip home. We look forward to your news and adventures when you have the time after you get home. 

I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)

jason

spiney wrote:

The trees along my fence are now around 5m high (in only 3 years), the callistemons have been flowering for 5 months non-stop and I've planted some new grevilleas - Moonlight and Flamingo. There are some pobblebonks in the garden but they haven't yet spawned in the pond although we have been visited by a white-faced heron so they'd better keep their heads down!! I've had spinebills, New Hollands, thornbills and several visits from a pair of scaly-breasted lorikeets which was fantastic. The butcherbird is a regular now and in the winter the number of crested pigeon swells from 3 to about 12. The Eastern Rosellas call in now and again but the noisy miners tend to chase them away. There is a resident sparrowhawk that regularly catches the collard doves and sits there plucking the feathers off before carrying his dinner away. I've noticed owl pellets so I'm sure there's an owl is visiting in the evenings but I haven't caught sight of him yet. I've also had regular visits from galahs, little corellas, sulphur crested cockatoos and red-rumped parrots so it's all happening as the garden is maturing. I'm looking forward to this spring as I think the number of small birds will also start to increase as my shrubby layer thickens up even more. The local council have recently planted 100's of new trees in the park in front of and behind my property so that's going to be amazing in a few years time and should increase the number of birds visiting my garden. I've also been active down the creek and planted another 50 indigenous trees and shrubs this autumn. Might put even more in when I get home. 

Spiney, I have snipped te above from your original paragraph.  Wondering if you mind if I include the above in my last ditch effort to gain acceptance from my local coucil to do something along the creek in the park. Your story reads similar to mine, but your council is progressive.  If your happy for me to use it could you give me your neighbourhood in Melbourne please.

kind regards

Jason

Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks

spiney
spiney's picture

Ofcourse Jason, that's fantastic. My local council is Darebin Council and they are planting 1000's of trees across the entire council area every year driven by the desire to increase canopy cover to a target %ge (much in the same way as Melbourne City Council also have a target canopy cover to tackle the 'urban heat island effect'). Darebin Council are a sensational council with a real focus on sustainability, the environment and tackling climate change at the local level. It sounds like I'm very lucky and shouldn't take them for granted hey!!!

jason

Thanks spiney.  It sounds like you are lucky, and it shows when the people are happy with thier council.  

Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks

Woko
Woko's picture

Great to hear of a council doing good things.

rosalie5
rosalie5's picture

Your garden looks awesome. Next spring I want to recreate mine so it will be more birds friendly. I don't have many trees while this is what they like so this is the first thing that I want to do. Spring is a perfect period where I can transform my garden. Next year seems to be really workful!

Woko
Woko's picture

Sounds like a plan, rosalie. Don't forget there are lots of bird species which use shrubs and groundcovers as habitat. And birds thrive best in the vegetation in which they evolved so planting the species which once grew naturally in your area will be of great benefit to them.

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